Sindhi Cultural Day
A well-known Sindhi cultural celebration, Sindhi Cultural Day is often called “Aekta Jo Dihaarro,” which translates to “the day of togetherness.” It is celebrated with the usual zeal and enthusiasm of previous generations to promote the centuries-old cultural heritage of Sindh. This Day is commemorated across the entire province of Sindh and among the Sindhi diaspora population in various parts of the world.
The harmonious identity of Sindhi culture is celebrated on this day by Sindhis to attract the world’s attention to their rich legacy and demonstrate that identity. The first-ever celebration of Sindh Culture Day occurred on December 6, 2009. Then, it was known as Sindhi Topi Day (the Sindhi topi, or Sindhi cap, a round hat with embroidered geometrical designs). Cultural Day is marked to demonstrate solidarity among the masses of Sindhi speakers; the event is celebrated in the entire province of Sindh. On December 6, 2009, the Day honoring culture and history was observed for the very first time.
Who Started Sindhi Cultural Day?
The celebration, now known as Sindhi Culture Day, was once known as Sindhi Topi (cap) Day. However, in Pakistan’s Sindh province, Sindhi Topi Day was observed for the very first time in December 2009 to commemorate the Sindhi cap and Sindhi culture. The day was modified to Sindhi Cultural Day the following year to reflect its purpose accurately.
The inaugural celebrations of culture day were held on December 6, 2009, in the United States. Ali Kazi, the head of a Sindhi news channel called KTN, was the first person to declare the celebration of the cultural day, and all Sindhis supported the choice to do so.
When was the Sindhi Cultural Day Celebrated?
The first Sunday of Dec is designated as Sindhi Cultural Day and is observed worldwide. People celebrate the occasion by donning traditional garments such as the Ajrak and Sindhi Topi and participating in musical performances and rallies in various cities across the country. The Sindhi Ajrak embellishes important landmarks and structures in cities and towns. During the many different ceremonies throughout Sindh, people give one another presents of Ajrak and Topi. Even the children and the women dress up in Ajrak and assemble at the large gathering to listen to famous Sindhi singers perform Sindhi songs that portray the message of love and peace in Sindh. Participants are compelled to dance to Sindhi melodies and the national hymn “Jeay Sindh Jeay-Sindh Wara Jean” as a result of the musical performances given by the musicians.
Preparation of Sindhi Cultural Day
On this Day, the local people in the region of Sindh offer Ajraks and Sindhi caps as a sign of goodwill. Therefore, celebrations were going to be held all around the Sukkur division to mark this momentous anniversary. Following the government’s SOPs, events have been planned to display the cultural artifacts of Sukkur’s traditional communities in all of the city’s major and minor towns. The day draws attention to the culture of Sindh and provides a source of money for people living off their daily wages.
Many individuals, including political employees, leaders, NGOs, academics, villages, associations, and employees, have shown a strong interest in attending the celebrations in Sukkur and the surrounding areas.
How Celebrations of Sindhi Cultural Day Started?
As a form of retaliation for the remarks of a well-known Pakistani anchorperson, who had criticized the former President of Pakistan for having to wear a Sindhi Topi on his international tours, the culture and heritage day was first observed on December 6, 2009 (under the name Sindhi Topi Day), and has been celebrated annually ever since.
Celebrations in Major Cities
Celebration of Sindhi culture day in major cities of Pakistan;
Karachi
In Karachi, in honor of Sindh Culture Day, the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi (ACPKHI) hosted a spectacular event that was opened to the public.
At the Sindhi cultural event, a large number of people took part, including the president of the Arts Council, the president of the Pakistan People Party (PPP) in Sindh, the senior superintendent of police for the south, the district commissioner for the south, the additional commissioner for Karachi, the leader of the PPP.
Hyderabad
People in Hyderabad express their unwavering passion for their city’s enriched cultural legacy; they increase their output at the Ajrak factory, where preparation work is being done.
Mirpurkhas
Sindhi Culture Day was celebrated across the province of Sindh, including in Mirpurkhas, with the customary zeal of previous years to bring attention to the region’s historically significant and culturally diverse past. Every year, people worldwide commemorate Sindh Culture Day by donning an Ajrak and a Sindhi topi (cap), two pieces of clothing that are considered essential to the identities of the citizens of Sindh and the culture of the province.
Sindhi Cultural Day 2022
The preparations for Sindhi Cultural Day 2022 are well underway, and the major cities of Sindh are on their way to preparing for the celebration of Sindhi Day.
Men’s Dress on Sindhi Cultural Day
The other garment that men put on is called a modern Sindhi Suthan, and it is paired with a traditional Sindhi shirt known as a Peheren. The Peheren is also known as Angerkho, a shorter version of the kurta fastened to the side. Angeli is another term for the top, and it describes its characteristic short length and left-crossed design, which covers the chest, shoulders, and arms. The cuffs on the long sleeves are pleated. Large and wide pleats conceal the belly. The other traditional top looks like a long gown worn over the head.
Women’s Dress on Sindhi Cultural Day
Today, Sindhi women usually wear a Sindhi salwar cholo and a long veil adorned with Sindhi embroidery known as Bharat. In the past, Sindhi ladies customarily wore the Sindhi lehenga choli. They also dress up lehnga choli, Paro Choli/Jablo choli, or ghagra choli. Sindhi women’s outfits are the most lively and vibrant, with Sindhi embroidery and mirror work, and a full embroidered shirt is named a Gaj. Bharat varies from tribe to tribe and from region to region. For example, some Jut women in the lower delta region of Sindh wear long dresses similar to robes, while some Baloch women in Sindh wear a Ghagho identical to a dress but have a pocket in the front of the garment.
Cultural Day Activities
The following is a list of some of the most well-known activities on Sindhi Cultural Day.
Mach Katcheri
Mach Katcheri is a related item custom in Sindh, particularly in the Thar desert, where the evenings are freezing, as is the case in all deserts. This kind of activity takes happens rather frequently in the Thar desert. But, first, they lay woven mats on the ground, leaving a central area bare where they have positioned massive logs in preparation for the Mach Katcheri. Then, as the visitors start to show up and look for a place to sit around the fire, the logs are used to burn a fire. A senior resident of the community may begin by introducing himself before continuing with his remarks.
Musical Concerts
In addition, musical concerts are held throughout Sindhi Cultural Day. A cultural pavilion was established on the campuses by the Sindh Culture Department. It featured live performances of traditional music and dance and displays of handicrafts and artisans at work. In one of the pavilion’s corners was a charkha and a typical Sindhi mat decorated with a woman sitting on the charkha and weaving thread. At the same time, clad in traditional Sindhi clothing and a shawl and wearing bangles.
Lecture Programs
On Sindhi Cultural Day, the elders of the tribe conduct lectures to the younger members of the tribe and acknowledge them for their knowledge of Sindhi culture and their cultural Day.
Seminars and Rallies
Seminars and rallies are also held regarding Sindhi culture day in universities and other educational institutes. In addition, people have massive rallies to inform others about the significance of their cultural Day.
FAQ’s
What is famous about Sindhi culture?
They are passionately devoted to their homeland, culture, and nation and sincerely appreciate the performing arts, music, mysticism, and dancing. They prefer to attend gatherings and important occasions dressed in traditional garb and to do it in the company of their closest loved ones.
What is the famous festival of Sindh?
The Sindhi Cultural Day often referred to as ‘Aekta Jo Dihaarro,’ is one of the most well-known and well-attended Sindhi cultural festivals. Its purpose is to highlight Sindh’s nearly century-rich culture, which is extensively celebrated with traditional zeal. This day is commemorated across the entire province of Sindh and among Sindhis living in other parts of the world.
Which Day is Sindhi culture?
Every year, on the very first Sunday of December, people worldwide celebrate Sindhi Cultural Day. Ajrak and Sindhi Topi, two traditional shawls with block prints, are worn by participants in the musical events and rallies conducted in several places to commemorate the day enthusiastically.
Conclusion
On the first Sunday of every December, Sindhis all over the world gather to commemorate Sindhi Cultural Day. The Sindhi Cultural Day, also known as ‘Aekta Jo Dihaarro,’ is one of the most well-known and well-attended Sindhi cultural festivals. Its purpose is to highlight Sindh’s nearly century-rich culture, which is extensively celebrated with traditional zeal. This day is commemorated across the entire province of Sindh and among Sindhis living in other parts of the world.
This day is commemorated across the entire province of Sindh and among Sindhis living in other parts of the world. On the day of this celebration, people congregate in all of the major cities of Sindh at Press Clubs and other places to organize various activities. These activities include literary (poetic) gatherings, Mach Katchehri (which involves congregating in a place and sitting around in a circle with the fire on sticks in the center), music performances, seminars, lecture programs, and rallies. On the first Sunday of December of each year, Sindhis gather to commemorate Sindhi Cultural Day to promote harmony and cohesion among their people. During the many different ceremonies throughout Sindh, people give one another presents of Ajrak and Topi. Even the children and the women dress up in Ajrak and assemble at the large gathering to listen to famous Sindhi singers perform Sindhi songs that portray the message of love and peace in Sindh.